One of the most time-consuming elements of finding a property to rent is often not the house-hunt itself but rather getting together all the necessary documentation that is required for you to be considered a trustworthy and eligible tenant.
As the rental property market can be very competitive, particularly in London, landlords often have a choice of tenants and may be swayed by tenants who have all their documents ready to hand over, rather than delay the transaction.
To help make the process as stress-free as possible for you, we have put together a handy guide on what documents you need to rent a house or flat in London.
Proof of identity
Applicants for a rental property must be aged over eighteen and be legal UK residents. Proof of identity and your current address are required and verified before any further discussions can take place. This can come in the form of:
- Photo ID (such as a valid passport or driving licence)
- An official letter dated within the last three months (such as a utility or tax bill)
- An Electoral Register entry
- If coming from abroad, a copy of your UK visa and associated documents allowing you to rent in the UK will also be required
Proof of Employment and Income
Most landlords and estate agencies require tenants to earn at least two to three times the rent unless they can provide a guarantor, but this is not a legal requirement and does depend on the discretion of the person who owns or manages the property. You will however need to provide proof of your employer and what you earn, such as:
- Recent payslips for the last three-six months
- A letter from your employer confirming your job title, salary, and contract length
- A current employment contract
- A tax return for the most recent tax year
If you are self-employed, you might be asked to provide evidence of earnings and accounts for a much longer period, often between one to three years.
Credit Checks
The landlord or estate agent will often run a credit check to assess your credit score. This gives them insight into your credit history, so they have a better idea of your reliability when it comes to your monthly rent payments. Your credit score is calculated by looking at several financial factors and can be impacted negatively by things like missed payments, unpaid loans, and defaults on accounts. While there’s no document you need to provide that states your credit score, it’s an important piece of information to have before you apply to rent a property.
Character References
Your potential landlord or estate agent will likely require references to confirm your identity, employment, and character. Some of these can be obtained in writing, but it is best to inform your referees when you begin the house-hunting process so that they are aware and willing to confirm some of the details you have supplied. Documents which are useful:
- Proof that you had a full deposit refunded
- Reference from a previous landlord, stating that payment was timely and that you are a trustworthy tenant
- Reference from an employer, confirming both your employment and character
No matter when you are planning to move, it is worth preparing the documents you need to rent a property in advance.
Having all the necessary paperwork ready means you can hand it over straight away, giving you the advantage over other tenants who need time to get their paperwork together, especially if the landlord or estate agent is keen to get everything settled quickly.